The Grandest Game, #1
The Grandest Game
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 21: GIGI
Overview
Avery and Jameson move the Grandest Game to a black-sand beach, where the competitors surrender their masks and keys before hunting for one last hidden Object that could help them in the days ahead. While the others search the rocks, Gigi suspects the black sand itself is the real clue, showing her instinct for misdirection.
The chapter also deepens interpersonal tensions: the British stranger’s flirtation raises questions about Savannah, and Brady’s confrontation with Knox revives the mystery of a dead girl. Gigi ends the chapter tempted to exploit Knox’s absence to recover stolen supplies, pulling her toward both strategy and Brady’s secrets.
Summary
Gigi follows Avery, Jameson, and the other players out of the house, down the cliff, and toward the ocean as strings of lights guide them over the rocks. Savannah walks beside Gigi and asks whether something happened during Gigi’s exploration of the island. A tall British masked stranger joins them, teasing Gigi and hinting that Savannah’s brother has already warned him away from Savannah.
The exchange makes Gigi notice Savannah’s controlled, beautiful mask and briefly think about the painful truth that their father is dead, despite the old family story that he is in the Maldives. Jameson then announces their arrival at the beach, where Gigi realizes the players have stepped onto warm black sand that had not been there earlier.
Jameson orders everyone to remove their shoes, and Avery frames barefoot dancing on the beach as part of the experience. Jameson then collects the players’ masks and room keys, while Avery explains that some competitors have already found hidden Objects on the island that may help them in the coming days. Avery’s glance singles out Savannah and Odette as people who have found such treasures, and Gigi thinks of her necklace and the knife hidden on her thigh.
Jameson reveals that one final useful Object remains hidden and gives the players a little less than an hour to find it, advising them to leave no stone unturned. The other competitors rush back toward the rocks, but Gigi suspects misdirection because the black beach sand matches the sand in the hourglass inside. Instead of following everyone else, Gigi kneels and searches through the sand for nearly half an hour.
Gigi’s search is interrupted when Brady Daniels sharply tells Knox to back off. Remembering Odette’s earlier comment that Brady and Knox were talking about a dead girl, Gigi wonders who the girl was and how the girl died. After Brady heads back toward the house, Gigi realizes Knox’s absence might let Gigi steal back the bag, oxygen tank, and wetsuit Knox took from her, though Gigi insists to herself that Gigi is not using that as an excuse to follow Brady.
Who Appears
- GigiTracks the beach challenge, searches the black sand, and plots to recover stolen supplies.
- SavannahWalks with Gigi, comments on her island exploration, and receives attention from the British stranger.
- Jameson HawthorneLeads players to the beach, collects masks and keys, and announces the final hidden Object.
- AveryGuides the players, explains hidden treasures, and frames the beach challenge’s stakes.
- Brady DanielsConfronts Knox over an unresolved issue involving a dead girl, then returns toward the house.
- KnoxIs warned off by Brady and remains the target of Gigi’s plan to reclaim stolen items.
- British masked strangerTeases Gigi and Savannah, hinting at prior tension with Savannah’s brother.
- OdetteIdentified as a player who found useful treasure; earlier information shapes Gigi’s suspicions.